Hodgson hopes that a consistent run of games in the Arsenal team will benefit England in the long-term though he acknowledges that it is not his business to tell clubs how to conduct their transfer activity.

"I think that it's good for him that he's going to a club where he will hopefully get more starts and he will get more playing time because we can't deny it isn't easy for players who don't get a lot of time at their clubs to then come and play 90 minutes for England,'' he told a news conference.

"I worked for a long time in club football and when you work there the only thing that matters to you is your club: getting the best results and finding the right players.

"It's unrealistic to think that club managers should bear in mind the England national side or the Welsh national side."

Welbeck has netted eight times in 28 appearances for England.

Despite an influx of European talent into the Premier League this summer, Hodgson remains optimistic for the future of the national team and says that added competition from abroad is not necessarily a negative factor.

"I think we've got enough players and I think we just need to accept as a nation that some of our players will be selected from benches -- not necessarily because they're the first name at their club side," he added.

"I also think the standard in the Premier League is such that we are becoming a magnet for the best players in the world. You could argue for some of our players that do become regulars it is advantageous for them.''

Former England captain and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham is disappointed to see Welbeck leave Old Trafford however, explaining that it is "sad" to see an academy graduate leave the club after establishing himself in the first team.

"I am sure he is obviously sad to leave Manchester United. Arsenal have a very good, young, talented English player, but to see him leave Manchester United, as a Manchester United fan, is obviously sad."